Coat drive for kids helps those in need in Utica, Shelby Twp, Sterling Hts

(WJBK) - Overnight lows will soon dip into the teens-even running to your car will get hard. 

You will likely have a coat on, but what about people who don't have one? The better question is, what about the kids? 

"Not everybody has the opportunity of having a coat. When you walk outside and you don't have a coat you (realize it). You want to be able to provide for your family and for the kids and that is what we are very happy to be a part of. So hopefully every child will have a coat," said Joseph McCluskey II, Antolin Shelby general manager.

The need to help kids in the cold led to a partnership between Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Utica and Utica Community Schools in one of the largest partnerships to benefit costs for kids. The need is large.  

"It is also Michigan's second largest school district so there are 27,000 students, 200,000 residents," said Dr. Christine Jones, superintendent of Utica Community Schools. "So the opportunity to help kids who need codes at this time of the year as the opportunity because of what the Need is.  And is kind of interesting because today was one of the coldest days of the year. that reminds us that there are kids out there who do not have coats."

The drive kicks off Monday until January 4.  McCluskey said he is happy to give back.

"I went to Eisenhower high school and I am very proud know that I could bring the largest manufacturer back to Shelby Township to be a part of that but it took all of us together," he said. "It just shows at the community I grew up in is an excellent community and the school district sent me forth to become successful in business and that's why I want to get back to it."

"You talk about the power of one - this idea was cooked up in about two hours and here we are today," said Rick Stathakis, Shelby Township supervisor. "It's a great thing, so we are looking forward to it. And it will be great for the community because I think this community always responds to positive giving. We've done that in the past and this is not going to be any different."

"To whom much is given, from him much is expected" is the quote many have heard.  But here, they're living it.  

"The easy thing is to build a plant, the harder thing is to working together as a community and giving back to it," said McCluskey. "It really shows if we work together, things can happen."

Collection areas for coat drive in Macomb County for Coats for Kids:

Sterling Hts- 4055 Utica Road, 40255 Dodge Park Road, 8655 Irving Road, 7200 18 Mile Road, 41625 Ryan Road, 40333 Dodge Park Road

Utica-7550 Auburn Rd.

Shelby Twp-52700 Van Dyke, 51680 Van Dyke, 52530 Van Dyke

Until January 4th. 

After January 4th drop offs at 52888 Shelby Parkway (Antolin Shelby) will be donated to schools.